Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-10-07
7GHN AINSWORTH'S WIFE.
MANpA l.. CRoCNER.

'1est1s,llG5', lntently watching man busy
with his scythe over the way. The
mower was John Ainsworth, and she
WAS his wife. There was 8 look on her
GAGE which did not augur we'll for her
ueace OF mind nor that OF her husband,
either, if they meant to love each
Other.
she was neatly dressed; she always
zSssde it a point to look we'll, Though
precious little good came of it," she
often said to her mirror, "only John
Ainswortl's wife, after all the pains
taking"
The roses bloomcd on tho lattice
John trained them there because she
&oved them-but little she cared for
sheir fragrant beauty just then. The
sweet breath of the clover came to her
or the wind, but oven that only re-
naEnded her, unpleasantly, that she was
ONLY q farmers wife,
II wish l had married Pierce Shcr-
wood, " she said, vehemently, turning
10 so in. Gle would have looked
higher than John did, and then he had
raoaey and high social standing.
learl L was fool to mistake love in
IL cottage for heavenly, care-free
realm. It's a perfect prison house
from whose bonds cannot escape"
Mere the servant appeared, cutting
short tie tangled sailoquy by saying:
~f}ease, mum, an ye said it was yer
sell l'l2at wud carry tho lunch to yer
husband. It's reddy, it is, mum, an
It's full nome O the clock, too, as early
:a.s it seems"
Bring it here, then Yes. said I
wonla take it to John, but 1 scarcely
can tell what prompted me to venture
s'ut IN this weather."
NY the foine morniu', mum, to be
-a' ,nre. Ii Oh only had the toim meself
'-'s'sl do that same, an be glad O the
chance. 1e ought to be deloighted,
mum, wild the foin mornin', the nice
lunch. an the guido husband ye hev."
ss suppose I ought. Maggie, but don't
preach. / cannot bear it kindly"
"An' its preachin' is it? Wy, mum,
Oh was only sayin'-"
ooh! know you meant il all right,
Maggie, and doubtless it is; but give
me the luncheon"
Wan wud be aftier supposin' she
WIZ tired oy this iHmgant cottage, an
lis owner too. Pom mo sowl, 1 b'lave
she don't love her mon. come to think
ONT. Aarciful hivine! pity the loikes
u her if that's it" And Margaret
O'Kooney went back to her potting and
banning for the MONDAY farmers din
ner.
5ohn Ainsworth moved to the end of
the lot, and turned to see his wife COM
ing. "I'll sit down IN the shade of this
a2m 10y the spring and wait for Minnie;
seems to me, he added slowly. as he
noted the tagging step and weary air
ri his wife, Seems TO me Minnie isn't
well. This hot weather is telling on
her fear I wish. for her sake, T was
rich, and then she wouldn't be Obliged
to"
Here's your lunch john" handing
him The basket and throwing herself on
the grass in the friendly shadows
81 fear you are not we'll, Minnie. /" he
said, following up the bent of his
thoughts.
no. yes I am but tlis--weather is
terribly trying on ones spirits, some
how, she answered. shutting her eyes
and leaning her head against the elm,
with q sigh.
john looked at her intently; he was
thinking. How would you like to go
10 Hanover on visit, Minnie?"
Hanover, that was whereiPierce Sher-
wood lifeI, and she hardly wanted to
see him lust now. Could she go back
to Hanover, and see his wife ia costly
3acca and diamonds, queening it in the
best social circles? Cob dear" and
she opened her eyes slowly, to meet the
solicitors questioning gaze Of John, re-
galdpg her with q curious expression.